Abington senior Kate Cooper signed a letter of intent to play lacrosse at Lehigh University at a special signing ceremony on Monday, Nov. 16. To view additional photos of the ceremony, please visit the Photo Gallery.
Kate Cooper – Lehigh University (Lacrosse)
Major: Business undecided with a minor in biology
Final list of colleges: Lehigh, William & Mary, Villanova, George Washington, Lafayette, Drexel
Reasons for selecting Lehigh: “It came down to Lehigh and William & Mary. Both schools are strong academically, but William & Mary had a more competitive program than Lehigh, so I was probably going to get more playing time at Lehigh. Also, I wanted my parents to be able to come watch my games and be able to visit, and William & Mary was a really long drive.
“I went up for my official, and I loved all the girls. We played together, and I think we jelled really well.”
When did the idea of playing collegiate lacrosse become a reality? “I never really thought about it until ninth grade when I started playing varsity. I had just started playing lacrosse in seventh grade, and I realized I was on varsity for a pretty good program. Coach got me involved with a club program, and I played club for three years. That was really important because – besides camps – it’s the only way to really be seen.
“I started getting interest from schools I was interested in back in September of last year. It felt really good because you’re putting in all this hard work, and someone is appreciating it. It just feels extremely good to be done and to know where I’m going and that hard work is paying off. I’m really excited.”
Coach Julie Martinez says: “Kate Cooper has always looked the part. She’s always been strong and fast and had a good stick. What she has been able to do over the course of the last few years in terms of developing her skills – I made a comment just recently that she has maybe the hardest shot I have coached in the past 10 years here. She had a hard shot as a ninth grader, but now she’s able to hit those corners, fake around the goalie and place her shots, and she’s developed herself into one of the top-notch players in the area.
“She’s been in the Under Armour Underclassmen Games the last two years, she played for Team Philly in the National Tournament and was first team all-league last year and was all-league as a sophomore as well.
“I taught Kate in Honors English last year, and she’s very academically oriented. To see her in a different setting off the field, she’s as determined, as focused and hard working, and all of those character traits really do transcend from the field to the classroom, which has enabled her to carry one of the highest GPAs in her class (Cooper has a 4.3 GPA). She’s the total package.”
Cooper resumé: Three-year varsity player who earned all-league as sophomore and junior (third team as sophomore, first team as junior) PhillyLacrosse.com Honorable Mention as a junior.
Member of Under Armour Underclassmen All-American Team Philly as sophomore and junior.
Member of the National Tournament Team as a sophomore and junior
Member of Phantaastix Lacrosse Club (two years) and Ultimate Goal Lacrosse Club (one year)
Career stats: 83 goals, 17 assists, 45 draws, 24 groundballs, 21 caused turnovers
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